Latest trends in clinical orthodontics
Role of orthodontic intervention in OSA: functional approach of orofacial structure restoration
Dr. Audrey Jung-Sun Yoon
Short Bio
Dr. Audrey Yoon is a dual trained orthodontist and pediatric dentist. She graduated from Seoul National Dental School and completed post-graduate orthodontic, pediatric and craniofacial training at the University of California, Los Angeles. She obtained a Master of Science degree with research focus in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Dr. Yoon is a collaborative team member at Stanford Medical Center in the Sleep Apnea research center. She has worked on a pioneering technique, performing maxillary distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of OSA and has co-authored chapters on this subject in several leading textbooks. She established an educational interdisciplinary rotation program between Stanford Sleep Surgery and the University of Pacific Orthodontic Residency Program, teaching the importance of airway to future orthodontists. She also founded the Pediatric Dental Sleep mini-residency program at Tufts University, using the evidence-based protocols to train dentists properly on management of sleep apnea patients . Currently her active areas of research include craniofacial growth modification, surgery-first approach of maxillomandibular advancement surgery technique, and the genomic study to identify genetic anatomical factors relating to OSA.
There is an increasing awareness of the role of an orthodontist in obstructive sleep apnea. Most current orthodontic treatment trends for obstructive sleep apnea have focused on modifying the anatomy to increase airway space. However, most clinical orthodontists do not understand the mechanism of how anatomical changes affect the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. Dr Yoon will share her extensive research for a better understanding of the relationship between anatomical factor and physiology of OSA. Dr Yoon will discuss early identification of etiologic factors and understanding the complex pathophysiology to prevent diseases. She will explain the orthodontic approach for modifying orofacial growth and development integrating newest innovative techniques to achieve ideal skeletal structures forreprogramming of orofacial muscle function. Guidelines and examples of orthodontic expansion protocols applied to various age ranges spanning 2 years old to elderly patients will be introduced for sleep breathing disorder management.
